Torrance, George William (1835–1907), clergyman and composer, was born at Rathmines, Dublin, eldest son of George Torrance, tailor, and Elizabeth Torrance (née Flynn). Educated locally, he had a talent for music and at the age of 12 became a chorister at Christ Church cathedral (1847–51). Studying piano and the organ, he was successively organist at Blackrock, St Andrew's, and St Ann's, Dublin. In 1854 he composed an oratorio, ‘Abraham’, and conducted it at its first performance in the Antient Concert Rooms the following year. Travelling to Leipzig in 1856, he continued his music studies and began work on an opera, ‘William of Normandy’, which he completed on his return. On 11 October 1860 he entered TCD as the Christ Church cathedral scholar, graduating BA (1864), MA (1867), and Mus.B. and Mus.D. (1879). His second oratorio, ‘The captivity’, was performed successfully in Dublin on 19 December 1864. Ordained deacon in 1865 and priest in 1866, he was appointed curate of St Michael's, Shrewsbury (1865–7), before returning to St Ann's (1867–9).
With his health failing, he decided to emigrate to Australia in 1869. Arriving at Victoria on 15 December, he was appointed to Christ Church, South Yarra, two months later. Acting curate at St John's, La Trobe (1871–7), he was made principal at Trinity College, Melbourne, in 1872. He married (19 November 1872) Annie Julia Vaughan; they had three children but none survived to adulthood. Torrance later ministered at All Saints, Geelong (1877–8), and Holy Trinity, Balaclava (1878–95). In recognition of his work as a composer and his considerable reputation as an organist, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the University of Melbourne in 1879; his second that year. His third oratorio, ‘The revelation’, was performed to some acclaim in Melbourne in 1882. Touring Europe in 1886–7, he returned to Australia, where he continued composing as well as examining music competitions. In 1888 he founded the choir for the new St Paul's cathedral in Melbourne, and in the 1890s was involved in the formation of the anti-swearing league.
On 12 October 1895, after the death of his third child, he visited Europe and decided to remain in Ireland permanently. Continuing to compose hymns and madrigals, he was appointed chaplain to the bishop of Ossory and also the bishop's vicar-choral at St Canice's cathedral, Kilkenny. Much respected for his musical accomplishments, he was made canon of St Canice's in 1900 and cathedral librarian. He died 20 August 1907 at St Canice's library, three days after the death of his wife.